When Do Ruby Throated Hummingbirds Migrate South for the Winter

Ruby throated hummingbirds typically migrate south for the winter between late August and early November.

Their migration patterns are influenced by the availability of nectar-rich flowers and insects, which are scarce during the winter months in their northern habitats.

In preparation for their journey, these hummingbirds will begin to store fat reserves by eating more than usual, allowing them to sustain themselves during the long flight ahead.

They will also start to lose their bright plumage, which is a sign that they are preparing to migrate.

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Ruby-throated hummingbirds typically start migrating south by late July and early August, with adult males leading the way. They fly more slowly than usual as they put on weight for their long journey.

In late August and September, hummingbirds are refueling their bodies in the early morning, traveling midday, and foraging again in the late afternoon to maintain their body weight. This is a crucial time for them to stock up on energy reserves.

By August and September, hummingbirds are moving south, with peak numbers in early September when we typically spot as many as 25-40 hummingbirds at a time as part of the fall migration. Most are Ruby Throats, with an occasional Rufous in the mix at the feeders.

In late September, adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds typically begin to migrate South. Females and juvenile males will hang around a few weeks longer, but their time here is also coming to an end for the year.

Large numbers of hummingbirds move south along the Texas coast in mid-September, and most arrive in Costa Rica in October or early November. This is a critical period for them to complete their journey.

By mid-September, hummingbirds are gathering in Florida, Louisiana, and along the South Texas coast in preparation for the final push to the south. Some Ruby-throats do spend the winter along the U.S. Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida, and some along the southern Atlantic coastal regions.

Hummingbirds migrate due to instincts, not the availability of food. They have an internal clock that drives them to fly south at a certain time of year.

In the fall, hummingbirds won't stay in your garden just because you have a feeder filled with nectar. They'll fly away regardless of the food source.

A stray hummingbird might occasionally stay in a snowy climate during winter, but it's usually because its instincts are faulty, not because the feeder is keeping it in the area.

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Ruby-throated hummingbirds typically arrive in Texas and Louisiana in late February to mid-March, while in more northern states and Canadian provinces, first arrivals are not until April or May.

Their migration route takes them along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic coastline in spring before veering inland, allowing them to find food supplies along the way.

As the weather cools down in fall, resident ruby-throated hummingbirds in our area start to put on weight, fly more slowly, and try to declare a feeder or a flowering plant as their own.

By late September, the adult male ruby-throated hummingbirds typically begin to migrate South, with females and juvenile males hanging around a few weeks longer.

In the past several years, we've noticed that the adult males leave first, followed by the females and juvenile males, with most adult males migrating South by late October.

Some ruby-throated hummingbirds take a more direct path across the Gulf of Mexico nonstop to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula in fall, replenishing their energy before the final push to Central America.

Their epic journey is made possible by their ability to fly southwest in fall and northeast in spring, detouring around the Gulf of Mexico to conserve energy.

While it may seem counterintuitive, keeping a hummingbird feeder up in fall won't stop the birds from leaving, as their instincts drive the timing of their migration, not the availability of food.

By mid-May, you can expect to see plenty of ruby-throated hummingbirds regularly frequenting your feeders, and by July or August, you'll also start to see the young hummers.

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